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Topslide question

This topic has 31 replies, 24 voices, and was last updated 13 July 2022 at 06:17 by Neil Lickfold.

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9 July 2022 at 16:22 #605109
Chris Murphy
Participant
@chrismurphy94983
Hi,

if I was to buy a quick change toolpost that I’m interested in, would this bottom washer with the 3 screws have to be removed as well.

I ask this because the screw nearest the camera will not budge, there is hardly any slot for a screwdriver, I’ve tried a few times.

if it has to be removed, any ideas how I’d shift it.

thanks

chris m….
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9 July 2022 at 16:22 #11256
Chris Murphy
Participant
@chrismurphy94983
9 July 2022 at 16:28 #605111
John Haine
Participant
@johnhaine32865
Yes! Can you file a wider slot? Or drill the head of the screw off. The "washer" is a ratchet cam for the previous toolpost.
9 July 2022 at 16:29 #605112
Emgee
Participant
@emgee
Try using an Impact driver.

Emgee
9 July 2022 at 17:08 #605117
ega
Participant
@ega
It might help to press out the main stud.
9 July 2022 at 17:12 #605118
Grindstone Cowboy
Participant
@grindstonecowboy
Or next best thing to an impact driver – put a well-fitting screwdriver in the slot and give it a sharp tap with a hammer. Sometimes that's enough to jar screws free.

Rob
9 July 2022 at 17:15 #605120
Andrew Tinsley
Participant
@andrewtinsley63637
If you have the tool holder that matches the ratchet, then I recommend that you retain the original set up. QCTP s are fine, but they are not all good news! I have a QCTP system which I use, but it isn't as rigid as the original set up. I revert back to the old system when I want to rough out a piece of work and when I want a good finish with honed HSS.

They also cost a fortune, you will need lots of holders if you want the benefit of a quick change system. If you are a relative beginner, there are more important things that you could spend the cash on, a QCTP system is not one of them.

I did the same as you wish to do and I regret it! I could have spent the cash on far more essential things. If you have plenty of money to spend on your hobby the fine go ahead and get a QCTP, otherwise think about what you really need right now.
9 July 2022 at 17:18 #605121
Bo’sun
Participant
@bosun58570
If you haven't already, you could try using one of the interchangeable screwdriver bits. They have parallel tips as apposed to a regular screwdriver tip that's tapered that might induce "cam out". However, do bear in mind, the ISB's tend to be a bit brittle.

Also, another vote for the impact driver. Good luck.
9 July 2022 at 17:56 #605125
SillyOldDuffer
Moderator
@sillyoldduffer
Posted by Grindstone Cowboy on 09/07/2022 17:12:38:

Or next best thing to an impact driver – put a well-fitting screwdriver in the slot and give it a sharp tap with a hammer. Sometimes that's enough to jar screws free.

Rob

+1 : Slotted screws are a pain in the rear end because it's important to use the right-sized screwdriver, Anything less than a blade that fits accurately into the slot, width, length and depth, risks chewing the screw-head so badly it has to be drilled out. A few things to try, maybe in combination:
- Build a dam around the head with modelling clay or bathroom sealant and flood the top of the screw with penetrating oil. Leave it for at least 24 hours and try the well-fitting screw-driver. Don't force it: there's a high-risk of mangling the slot or shearing the screw. If it doesn't move with moderate force, re-soak it, and repeat.
- Heat is good at breaking corroded and gummed up threads. Heat and cool the area several times with a blowlamp. Don't overdo the heat! If still tight after a few cycles, try penetrating oil again
- If still seriously stuck move to an impact driver or screw-extractor. Impact drivers force the blade into the slot whilst applying a powerful undo shock turn. Be careful not the break the casting! Screw-extractors have a left-hand thread that screws into a pilot hole drilled into the axis of the stuck screw: the harder it's turned, the tighter it grips except there is a risk it will strip the screw.
If the screw doesn't come out without fuss, I really don't recommend doing this just to fit a QCTP. At this stage I'd bet the farm a QCTP isn't needed!!! Later maybe, but it's not smart this early to get embroiled in a tricky screw-removal. Be aware the cross-slide is a brittle casting, not immensely strong, and the more brutal stuck-screw methods risk breaking it. They're hard to replace or repair, and without one the lathe is almost useless…

Dave
9 July 2022 at 20:21 #605148
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
…… . They're hard to replace or repair, and without one the lathe is almost useless…

Dave

All that you can't do without a topslide is short tapers and screw cutting. Even that can be done, just not as well. Topslide is in the way 90% of the time, Tubal Cain even designed a Gibraltar tool post to replace it on Myford S7

Not that I advocate breaking the one you've got of course

Edited By duncan webster on 09/07/2022 20:22:18
9 July 2022 at 20:37 #605151
Tony Pratt 1
Participant
@tonypratt1
Posted by duncan webster on 09/07/2022 20:21:36:

…… . They're hard to replace or repair, and without one the lathe is almost useless…

Dave

All that you can't do without a topslide is short tapers and screw cutting. Even that can be done, just not as well. Topslide is in the way 90% of the time, Tubal Cain even designed a Gibraltar tool post to replace it on Myford S7

Not that I advocate breaking the one you've got of course

Edited By duncan webster on 09/07/2022 20:22:18

'Can't do screw cutting'?

Tony
9 July 2022 at 20:51 #605156
Journeyman
Participant
@journeyman
Would agree that the top-slide is not a necessity. Nice to have but decreases rigidity. Quite easy to add a cross-slide tool-post and screw cutting is probably easier as you don't have to faff about with angles or add a bit to cut on one side of the tool. Increased stiffness in the setup makes straight in-feed simple.

This is the cross-slide tool-post I made for my WM250.

As to the problem screws: Remove the top-slide and work on the bench or hold it in the vice. Don't try to do it in-situ. If you have, or can borrow, an electric impact driver with a suitable bit removal should be straightforward.

John

Edited By Journeyman on 09/07/2022 21:18:39
9 July 2022 at 21:24 #605159
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
Posted by Tony Pratt 1 on 09/07/2022 20:37:51:

Posted by duncan webster on 09/07/2022 20:21:36:

…… . They're hard to replace or repair, and without one the lathe is almost useless…

Dave

All that you can't do without a topslide is short tapers and screw cutting. Even that can be done, just not as well. Topslide is in the way 90% of the time, Tubal Cain even designed a Gibraltar tool post to replace it on Myford S7

Not that I advocate breaking the one you've got of course

Edited By duncan webster on 09/07/2022 20:22:18

'Can't do screw cutting'?

Tony

I didn't say you couldn't, I just find it better to feed down the flank, others are happy to go straight in. Both ways work
10 July 2022 at 19:12 #605276
old mart
Participant
@oldmart
I'm not familiar with that type, but I would remove the moving part of the topslide and see if the toolpost bolt could be removed from underneath. The three screws may also hold the bolt in as well as the ratchet in which case the use of a good fitting inpact screwdriver would be the best way. Trouble is that bolt projecting makes getting an impact screwdriver bit to fit may be a problem, not many are long enough to clear easily.
10 July 2022 at 22:14 #605297
martin haysom
Participant
@martinhaysom48469
drill the head off the rest often unscrews easily if it don't drill it all out but only if you are brave
10 July 2022 at 22:34 #605301
SillyOldDuffer
Moderator
@sillyoldduffer
Posted by duncan webster on 09/07/2022 20:21:36:

…… . They're hard to replace or repair, and without one the lathe is almost useless…

Dave

All that you can't do without a topslide is short tapers and screw cutting. Even that can be done, just not as well. Topslide is in the way 90% of the time, Tubal Cain even designed a Gibraltar tool post to replace it on Myford S7

Not that I advocate breaking the one you've got of course

Oh dear, what was I thinking? Sorry about that, I exaggerated the problem. But nonetheless painful if the part is accidentality broken.

Dave
11 July 2022 at 15:36 #605362
old mart
Participant
@oldmart
The only reason other than vanity for a homeshop lathe to have a QCTP is if you are using hss tooling. Every time it is sharpened, it gets a little lower and the adjustable height is then useful.
11 July 2022 at 15:46 #605365
roy entwistle
Participant
@royentwistle24699
If it's a Myford, the three screws only hold the ratchet

Roy
11 July 2022 at 16:37 #605371
Tony Pratt 1
Participant
@tonypratt1
Posted by old mart on 11/07/2022 15:36:21:

The only reason other than vanity for a homeshop lathe to have a QCTP is if you are using hss tooling. Every time it is sharpened, it gets a little lower and the adjustable height is then useful.

Oh I don’t know🤔

Tony
11 July 2022 at 19:14 #605388
Nick Wheeler
Participant
@nickwheeler
Posted by old mart on 11/07/2022 15:36:21:

The only reason other than vanity for a homeshop lathe to have a QCTP is if you are using hss tooling. Every time it is sharpened, it gets a little lower and the adjustable height is then useful.

the other side of that is the QCTP and the 14 tool holders are the best value tooling I've bought for use on and around the mill and lathe. My opinion is that a QCTP should be high up the list of necessities for anyone who intends to actually use the machine.
11 July 2022 at 19:31 #605391
Malc
Participant
@malc
Would it be possible to bore a recess in the underside of the QCTP so that it sits over the ratchet and down onto the base. Or, perhaps you could make a “washer” with a central hole to fit over the ratchet which is the same thickness as the ratchet forming a slightly higher base ?
11 July 2022 at 20:04 #605400
bernard towers
Participant
@bernardtowers37738
just get a very shallow angle centre punch and put in the slot and tap with Birmingham screwdriver
11 July 2022 at 20:07 #605402
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
Where can I buy a Birmingham Screwdriver?

Do they come in different sizes?

Don't want a 7 lb one

Howard
11 July 2022 at 21:03 #605411
ChrisLH
Participant
@chrislh
Funny how opinions vary. After owning my lathe for 20 years or more I bought a set of quick change tool holders and immediately wished I had bought them 20 years earlier. They avoided the awfull fag of finding and adjusting packing to get tools to centre height every time a tool is changed. They also allow you to continually swap tools around on repetition work. Regarding removing the reluctant screw, I've had success with hammer and small chisel used to drive the screwhead round first on one end of the slot followed by the other.
11 July 2022 at 23:25 #605424
bernard towers
Participant
@bernardtowers37738
if you don't want a 7lb one you know what it is!!
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